Detroit Dam, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Detroit Dam garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
269 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 2 Mar 9 Apr 8
First fall frost Jan 4 Dec 3 Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 5 · first Dec 26

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DETROIT DAM station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Detroit Dam

Computed from Detroit Dam's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 12 – Jan 26 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🫑 Peppers Dec 29 – Jan 12 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🥬 Lettuce Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 9 – Mar 9
🫛 Peas Jan 26 – Feb 9
🥕 Carrots Feb 16 – Mar 9
🥦 Broccoli Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥬 Kale Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 9 – Feb 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🥒 Zucchini Feb 9 – Feb 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 16 – Mar 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 16 – Mar 23
🌿 Basil Jan 26 – Feb 9 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 22 – Nov 19

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Detroit Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Detroit Dam

With roughly 269 frost-free days, Detroit Dam gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 3 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Detroit Dam, OR?

The average last spring frost in Detroit Dam is around Mar 9, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Detroit Dam, OR?

The average first fall frost in Detroit Dam arrives around Dec 3. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Detroit Dam?

About 269 frost-free days on average, from Mar 9 to Dec 3. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Detroit Dam in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.